Part 5: Hueco Mundo Vol.1, 4-1

In my heart...

...I knew that once we got the Hogyoku, the former Espada would in fact become ineffective, totally useless.

And yet I stayed on with Lord Aizen. Even knowing all of that, I stayed.

Still...

............

Aaaaaaggghhhh!

What the?! What the hell do you think you're doing?!

Just drooling all over your face.

I figured that out myself!

What I want to know is exactly why you are drooling all over my face!

Quit your moaning, will you? I mean, it wasn't that bad, Don Panini.

It's Dordoni!!! Do I look like a delicious sandwich to you?!

Nel's drool is no ordinary drool. It's got all kinds of healing properties in it. Isn't that right?

Yeah, that's right! Whenever Nel's uvula gets squeezed, a lot of saliva comes out!

No way, that was vomit! I saw!

A real lady doesn't spray that stuff on someone's face!

Now this is vomit...

Aaaaaaaggggghhhhh!

I have lost. And yet, it feels good.

So much power was running through my being. I was completely overwhelmed with an obsession to defeat you in battle.

I knew I could block any of your attacks, and after that my counterattacks could finish you off.

I did not let my guard down. And yet, I never saw it coming.

You are strong, niño.

I'm not as strong as you think.

I suppose I wanted to become an Espada again.

The Espada are Lord Aizen's most dedicated servants. But Lord Aizen views the Espada another way. He sees them as nothing more than a tool to fight with.

I know that's how it is, but still...

That hasn't changed what I want. Those who have stood at the top never forget the view. I felt so incredibly alive, being up there.

I thought that if I defeated you when you were at full power, Lord Aizen would once again acknowledge my strength...and I'd be able to take my rightful place as a warrior of the Espada again.

I wanted to force you to complete your Hollowfication. I wanted it so badly...

...and that has not changed!

Bastard!

Are you really surprised? How could you be foolish enough to allow someone to heal your enemy's wounds? You honestly think now that I'm restored, I'm not going to attack you again?

That's insane! You're barely in one piece and now you want to come back for more?

You're just as sweet as the chocolate, niño!

............

Ichigo...

Let's go, Nel.

Hmph...

What a surprise.

What brings the Exequias here?

We have orders to locate the injured intruder and execute him.

And that order came from whom?

I really can't say.

You'll want to get past me, I presume?

Are you threatening to block our way? It would be hopeless for you to resist us in your condition. You're a Privaron Espada! Besides, your sword is broken and you can't release it.

You don't stand a chance against us in a fight.

Is that true, jovenzuelo? I'm more powerful than you think!

(I am glad you were able to make it out of here in time, niño.)

(My powers have weakened so badly, you probably could have defeated me without Hollowfying. You must have sensed how humiliating that would have been for me.)

(You transformed, even though you knew it would drain your long-term strength to do so. You preserved my dignity as a warrior.)

(I am grateful for that.)

(This is the least I can do to thank you. But beware of the ones you will encounter as you move deeper into the fortress! They will cut you down without a moment's thought.)

(Do not hesitate to attack your enemy. Do not waver when you deliver the finishing blow. Above all, do not heal his wounds once you have defeated him.)

(You have to leave your chocolate sweetness behind!)

(You have to become like the devil himself, niño!)